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...Was Homer in keeping with this tradition in the Odyssey?
That naturally depends upon what you argue the tradition is that Homer is in
keeping with. Let's look at some of the raw material in the Odyssey.
Language and specific incidents aside, is the nature of woman as depicted in the
Odyssey in any way revealing? And what is it in human nature we scan for when
excavating for gender bias? And how do we separate systemic bias from
innocent ignorance? I heard a woman author yesterday morning describe
difficulties male writers have when writing about birthing--no matter how hard
they try, they usually get some of it wrong. So, what do we look for? Sexuality?
Emotional quality? Intellect? Drive for power? Need to control? Capacity for
labour? If we detect differences in the text how do we distinguish between three
possible conclusions. One, differences in treatment reflect the underlying
Homeric thesis that women are "different but equal in nature," Two, different
treatment of men and women in the text reflect a thesis that women are
"different and unequal in nature" -- arguments about misogyny fall in here but a
host of other interpretive possibilities are possible too. Three, the different
treatment reflects simple ignorance. How much do we attribute what we discover
to male authorship -- or female authorship?
In beginning, we might look to the gods for a clue. The adultery between Ares
and Aphrodite for example is evenly represented -- both parties are to blame --
both are shamed -- both are banished. Although there is some "locker room talk"
between two of the male gods that they would willingly lie in chains several
layers thick to be beside Aphrodite.
Sexuality among mortals is another key to this poem and this question. Women
and men are...
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